The 53rd Geraldton Ocean Classic
I was lucky enough to find a spot on the VIP boat ( thanks to the Stone family) and our hosts had coffee and muffins at the ready for the 0830 start.
The last time I went out to do this event was a while ago and in between shifting houses (which I was doing during the 2022 race) and the Covid years, I've not seen the race start for three years.
Its been a perfect storm they tell me, with the Exmouth race swallowing up a number of contestants and they are busily repairing stuff or scratching for crew. So we have been left with a diminished fleet. But there are some rocket ships in there and the knowledge that the race is already over for the first three boats as I write and a new race record has been set.
Congratulations to Dave Davenport and the TP52 Crush on a new race record with Anthony Kirke on Enterprise NG sweeping up 1st in Div 1, PHS and IRC, with Bill Henson's Sirene taking 3rd on the line. As I write, the smallest boat in the fleet SS 27 King Canute is working their way up the coast and with Kim Swarbrick; the builder/designer of the original SS27 50 years ago on board, they are doing very well indeed. By the way Kim won in 1973 on his SS27 Touché in the PHS Div. One.
We cant forget Chris Hind and Sagacious who celebrates her 40 years in 2024. She's doing very well with an eclectic team of South of Perth sailors mixed into the crew. Moneypenny, the secretary to M and one of the love interests that the original James Bond had, is an Archambault 35 and has joined the Gero race for the first time. I'm sure its a learning experience for them. Finally best wishes to Alan Stein and Fat Bottomed Girl who had to retire following an incident out on the water (no one hurt).
By the way, we rescued the shoe that was seen floating before the start. We know who the sailor was and I'll bet he'll be buying a round or two up in Geraldton.
Many thanks to SoPYC for getting me out on the water and thanks to the start teams of SoPYC and the Offshore community. Oh and the sailors as well. :-)
Enjoy the images.
The IMR Technologies
51st Geraldton Ocean Classic and Rally 2019
Shooting from North Mole again.
From my perspective its a lot easier to shoot from the Mole as there is a lot less fuss setting up rig and this time the dash down to the mark will be even better as the list of boats competing this time around looks fantastic.
We have Alfresco, Argo, Checkmate, Dirty Deeds, Endorfin, Enterprise, French Kiss V, Indian, Joss, Twitch and Weapon of Choice in the front row and Atomic Blonde, Crush and Sagacious IV in Div 2. Three rally cruisers round the fleet out and they are Braveheart, Sadiqi Ra and Toroa IV.
As usual, Peter Vlaar and his yacht Farrago confounded everyone by assembling a crew and decided to wander up the coast himself on a very nice day. Didn't bother with the start line and as for going out around the island of rats, he just popped up a spinnaker and sauntered off into the north saving himself a lot of fuss and bother. I admire the man. A lazy seal was observed wandering around below the rocks, keeping an eye out on any tasty morsels left by the fishoes, or better if they caught something, I'm pretty sure the seal would get to it first.
The start was a little far away for me, but as they drew closer, we could see the yachts and the main tactics were to get out to the right and come barrelling onto the turning mark and then on to the day buoy below North Mole before a tight reach out to Rotto. Some tried to come over to the left to see if they could get something out of the sou easter, but they weren't to make much of it. Of course Indian was out to play and she came storming in with a great head start possibly a little lower than Paul would have liked but bent around the mark and began her trip out to Rotto. Then the procession began with all the boats making their way around, with the foredeck loading up the asymmetric spinnakers or in one or two cases preparing to roll out the big furlers.
The sight of Tora IV making her way to the start leisurely (a few minutes late) was reminiscent of Mike Giles last minute dash to the startline in 2018, but I don't think that Paul was in as much of a hurry, it was after all a rally boat and the concept is to enjoy the trip up. Sagacious IV was on her first off shore trip for a while and a dream for her skipper Chris Hind, who has been patiently restoring the old girl since he bought her from the Heydons several years ago.. now I wonder if he's going to continue the rest of that dream and campaign her in the Sydney to Hobart.
Maybe.
The last I saw of the fleet as they headed off to Rotto, was Twitch's transom as she began her way out to Rotto with half of the fleet bearing away under spinnakers, while the more practical of the yachtsmen eschewed the big things out the front and headed out to Rotto under a decent set of headsail and main.
As ever these images are for sail and one will cost you $20 or 3 for $50. ( private use only ) Contact me through the website.
Many thanks to the sailors without whom I would not get the photos and of course the offshore team at FSC who got the event underway.
From my perspective its a lot easier to shoot from the Mole as there is a lot less fuss setting up rig and this time the dash down to the mark will be even better as the list of boats competing this time around looks fantastic.
We have Alfresco, Argo, Checkmate, Dirty Deeds, Endorfin, Enterprise, French Kiss V, Indian, Joss, Twitch and Weapon of Choice in the front row and Atomic Blonde, Crush and Sagacious IV in Div 2. Three rally cruisers round the fleet out and they are Braveheart, Sadiqi Ra and Toroa IV.
As usual, Peter Vlaar and his yacht Farrago confounded everyone by assembling a crew and decided to wander up the coast himself on a very nice day. Didn't bother with the start line and as for going out around the island of rats, he just popped up a spinnaker and sauntered off into the north saving himself a lot of fuss and bother. I admire the man. A lazy seal was observed wandering around below the rocks, keeping an eye out on any tasty morsels left by the fishoes, or better if they caught something, I'm pretty sure the seal would get to it first.
The start was a little far away for me, but as they drew closer, we could see the yachts and the main tactics were to get out to the right and come barrelling onto the turning mark and then on to the day buoy below North Mole before a tight reach out to Rotto. Some tried to come over to the left to see if they could get something out of the sou easter, but they weren't to make much of it. Of course Indian was out to play and she came storming in with a great head start possibly a little lower than Paul would have liked but bent around the mark and began her trip out to Rotto. Then the procession began with all the boats making their way around, with the foredeck loading up the asymmetric spinnakers or in one or two cases preparing to roll out the big furlers.
The sight of Tora IV making her way to the start leisurely (a few minutes late) was reminiscent of Mike Giles last minute dash to the startline in 2018, but I don't think that Paul was in as much of a hurry, it was after all a rally boat and the concept is to enjoy the trip up. Sagacious IV was on her first off shore trip for a while and a dream for her skipper Chris Hind, who has been patiently restoring the old girl since he bought her from the Heydons several years ago.. now I wonder if he's going to continue the rest of that dream and campaign her in the Sydney to Hobart.
Maybe.
The last I saw of the fleet as they headed off to Rotto, was Twitch's transom as she began her way out to Rotto with half of the fleet bearing away under spinnakers, while the more practical of the yachtsmen eschewed the big things out the front and headed out to Rotto under a decent set of headsail and main.
As ever these images are for sail and one will cost you $20 or 3 for $50. ( private use only ) Contact me through the website.
Many thanks to the sailors without whom I would not get the photos and of course the offshore team at FSC who got the event underway.
The IMR Technologies
50th Geraldton Ocean Classic 2018 and Rally.
As I'd not been appointed as the official snapper for the event, I had no problems wandering down to North Mole with the biggest lens in my repertoire and using the crop factor of a non full frame camera, I was able to get the effect of a 600 mm lens. It was bought for the 2011 Worlds and used then, but today it hummed.
Thirteen boats set off to Gero in the race section of the event with a further six in the rally section. Surprisingly we didn't have the regular heavies (Deeds, BB, Joss, Obsession, WoC and Indian) and of course we didn't have Walk on the Wild Side as a player since she's been de -listed. The radio was tuned to 72 and the chatter as the boats logged on was reassuring, they were coming to play.
By 0900 hrs I'd tuned the lens and amused myself by taking the odd snap around the Mole with an unusual visiting bird less than 10 feet away and of course the obligatory couple posing for photos at the freshly painted light tower.
Most of the yachts had assembled by now and as the clock clicked down, the radio crackled into life. "Race Control this is Endorfin, we intend to start the race, but we will be late on the start line." was the summary and their haste could be seen as they hoisted the headsail and took off around the mole on the way to the start line. As one of the pictures depicts the sight of Endorfin making for the line, you can work out for yourself how late they were.
All was well though and the race at the front was between Giddy Up, Twitch and Argo with James Halverson driving the family Farr 39.5 with great élan. Well in front already, he had the wood on Barry Walsh and Twitch and Chris Highams Argo. By the time they started down toward the North Mole and the turn mark he was at least 10 seconds ahead on his spinnaker hoist.
Then the down breeze run commenced with everyone praying for quick hoists and clean drops at the end of the run.
The smaller boats who didn't think that they were under pressure opted for a good reach down under jib and main. Kraken and Lithium, both double handed did so with not too much between them. About this time, sightings of a pod of whales was reported not too far from the sailing line further out to Rottnest and then I believe Checkpoint, the SoPYC mark laying boat, reported another nearby her.
As the tail end boats reached the turning buoy below us, Mike Giles's Endorfin came storming down the wind and with due regard for the last boat rounding he dropped his spinnaker, hit the mark, ducked below the rounding Hillary's boats Perle and took off to Rotto.
As I post these image, Endorfin is looking at the finish line at Geraldton, having performed very well in what was a true sea race. Not a sleigh ride up the coast on a Sou Wester, but a reach up to Gero on a breeze that was essentially in the west- nor - west for most of the night. Ahead on IRC is Giddy Up (second over all) and Argo has slipped into third place over all and second on IRC. My congratulations to all and the rally boats as well. Don't get too wrecked over the next week.
Many thanks to the Fremantle Sailing Clubs Offshore start team with their dulcet tones ringing out over the water and Fremantle Port Authority for providing the start boat (Response) for the start. And as usual.. thanks to the sailors who provide me with good photos. (even though they sometimes don't mean to)
Thirteen boats set off to Gero in the race section of the event with a further six in the rally section. Surprisingly we didn't have the regular heavies (Deeds, BB, Joss, Obsession, WoC and Indian) and of course we didn't have Walk on the Wild Side as a player since she's been de -listed. The radio was tuned to 72 and the chatter as the boats logged on was reassuring, they were coming to play.
By 0900 hrs I'd tuned the lens and amused myself by taking the odd snap around the Mole with an unusual visiting bird less than 10 feet away and of course the obligatory couple posing for photos at the freshly painted light tower.
Most of the yachts had assembled by now and as the clock clicked down, the radio crackled into life. "Race Control this is Endorfin, we intend to start the race, but we will be late on the start line." was the summary and their haste could be seen as they hoisted the headsail and took off around the mole on the way to the start line. As one of the pictures depicts the sight of Endorfin making for the line, you can work out for yourself how late they were.
All was well though and the race at the front was between Giddy Up, Twitch and Argo with James Halverson driving the family Farr 39.5 with great élan. Well in front already, he had the wood on Barry Walsh and Twitch and Chris Highams Argo. By the time they started down toward the North Mole and the turn mark he was at least 10 seconds ahead on his spinnaker hoist.
Then the down breeze run commenced with everyone praying for quick hoists and clean drops at the end of the run.
The smaller boats who didn't think that they were under pressure opted for a good reach down under jib and main. Kraken and Lithium, both double handed did so with not too much between them. About this time, sightings of a pod of whales was reported not too far from the sailing line further out to Rottnest and then I believe Checkpoint, the SoPYC mark laying boat, reported another nearby her.
As the tail end boats reached the turning buoy below us, Mike Giles's Endorfin came storming down the wind and with due regard for the last boat rounding he dropped his spinnaker, hit the mark, ducked below the rounding Hillary's boats Perle and took off to Rotto.
As I post these image, Endorfin is looking at the finish line at Geraldton, having performed very well in what was a true sea race. Not a sleigh ride up the coast on a Sou Wester, but a reach up to Gero on a breeze that was essentially in the west- nor - west for most of the night. Ahead on IRC is Giddy Up (second over all) and Argo has slipped into third place over all and second on IRC. My congratulations to all and the rally boats as well. Don't get too wrecked over the next week.
Many thanks to the Fremantle Sailing Clubs Offshore start team with their dulcet tones ringing out over the water and Fremantle Port Authority for providing the start boat (Response) for the start. And as usual.. thanks to the sailors who provide me with good photos. (even though they sometimes don't mean to)
The 49th Geraldton Ocean Classic 2017
and Abrolhos Adventure Rally
You put your hat in the ring and sometimes it gets passed back to you with a smile. I'm to photograph the Gero again and I wait with interest as to what when and how.... you're probably thinking the same.
Further news: we have been given the list of entrants and its a low figure of 10, but the field is first class. Dirty Deeds, Enterprise, Indian, Giddy up, Argo and Joss to name a few... But the wily one is sailing as well and Peter Vlaar was seen preparing Farrago for the trip for the umpteenth time. Never underestimate him.
The boats are currently working their way up the coast as I write and I must admit it was the first time I've seen a Gero start down wind. But given the lack of time and the stuffing around that would have occurred it was a good idea and was a bonus for the bloke with the camera.
To start the day we came down the river and picked up young Travis to join Mikael and I and the laying out of the buoys was done in good time with a chance to get photo's as we worked. As we did so the easterly breeze steadily worsened and all were looking over our shoulders to see if anything was occurring. And then the race went into sequence with an easterly breeze in evidence.
With less than two minutes we were dispatched off to investigate a line of breeze further off shore. Yes it was the sea breeze but did we stop the race? Nope and with 60 seconds to go the call came out on the radio "Let them go". From then on it was who was nearest to the breeze and whose fordeckie was the fastest. People with regular spinnakers were able to get them up quickly and the rest had to hoist their asymmetric spinnakers and pray that the wind would come in to fill it. Those who had gone left were in trouble, but an enterprising Al Fresco found a gap and sailed away from the mob on the left while Giddy Up and Indian were doing very nicely on the right hand side.
Down to the landward mark and then watch as the spinnakers came down to us. A great way to get kite shots so early in the day with a gybe sequence for the boats as they prepared to round the buoy to starboard. Then the dash up to the mark at the North Mole and the beginning of the traditional work up to and around Rottnest. We'd done our job, so the next thing was the dash to pick up the buoys and get up river.
The storms that were whipping around the house a little earlier tonight, must have passed through the fleet on their way up. I'd like to hear the stories of what occurred.
Many thanks to SoPYC who got me onto the water for the event and to Mikael and Travis who kept me amused during the afternoon. Please note that two cameras were used today and some images may be out of sequence.
Enjoy the photos. and Giddy up up up !
Further news: we have been given the list of entrants and its a low figure of 10, but the field is first class. Dirty Deeds, Enterprise, Indian, Giddy up, Argo and Joss to name a few... But the wily one is sailing as well and Peter Vlaar was seen preparing Farrago for the trip for the umpteenth time. Never underestimate him.
The boats are currently working their way up the coast as I write and I must admit it was the first time I've seen a Gero start down wind. But given the lack of time and the stuffing around that would have occurred it was a good idea and was a bonus for the bloke with the camera.
To start the day we came down the river and picked up young Travis to join Mikael and I and the laying out of the buoys was done in good time with a chance to get photo's as we worked. As we did so the easterly breeze steadily worsened and all were looking over our shoulders to see if anything was occurring. And then the race went into sequence with an easterly breeze in evidence.
With less than two minutes we were dispatched off to investigate a line of breeze further off shore. Yes it was the sea breeze but did we stop the race? Nope and with 60 seconds to go the call came out on the radio "Let them go". From then on it was who was nearest to the breeze and whose fordeckie was the fastest. People with regular spinnakers were able to get them up quickly and the rest had to hoist their asymmetric spinnakers and pray that the wind would come in to fill it. Those who had gone left were in trouble, but an enterprising Al Fresco found a gap and sailed away from the mob on the left while Giddy Up and Indian were doing very nicely on the right hand side.
Down to the landward mark and then watch as the spinnakers came down to us. A great way to get kite shots so early in the day with a gybe sequence for the boats as they prepared to round the buoy to starboard. Then the dash up to the mark at the North Mole and the beginning of the traditional work up to and around Rottnest. We'd done our job, so the next thing was the dash to pick up the buoys and get up river.
The storms that were whipping around the house a little earlier tonight, must have passed through the fleet on their way up. I'd like to hear the stories of what occurred.
Many thanks to SoPYC who got me onto the water for the event and to Mikael and Travis who kept me amused during the afternoon. Please note that two cameras were used today and some images may be out of sequence.
Enjoy the photos. and Giddy up up up !
The 47th Geraldton Classic 2015
A good breeze and enough big boats to make it interesting.
The breeze was out of the sou west to begin and despite the late withdrawal of RO Trevor Milton thanks to back problems ( get better Trevor ), the race was under way on time. Bernie Kaaks stepped up to the plate with less than a days notice to look after the 47th Gero Classic and had the help of the off shore team and the Fremantle Port Authorities emergency response vessel to start the event. Manfred Speicher of Pantaenius came in in a timely mode to help the event by sponsoring the Yellow Brick trackers that are so necessary to following the race and for that we must thank him.
Ten boats fronted the line with some pretty strong crews on board. At least half the boats had former Gero skippers on board and the faces on the yachts as they lined up were familiar. A big surprise was Anthony Kirke and his Farr 40 Enterprise. It was understood that he was taking a break from offshore sailing but somehow he's made it to the start line........ The rest of the line up has such luminaries as Indian, M3, Dirty Deeds, Finistere and ( the new ) Kraken. However the rest are just as likely to feature with good handicaps up their sleeves with well trained crews to work with. Welcome to Phantom, Wasabi, Argo and Prime Factor, all good offshore boats that have proved themselves already.
The start was comfortable with no chance of an OCS as the first boats hit the line some few seconds after the start. In fact M3 was busily repairing a tear on the leach of their main seconds before the start and they hit the line well after everyone else. Not that it mattered much. However the start was won by Anthony Kirke who rocked across the line on top of Indian and it was only the sheer speed of the Carkeek 47 that saved the day, as he managed to get a nose in front and get away. By the first mark, it was Indian to the top mark with Enterprise and M3 close behind.
Many thanks to SoPYC for getting me onto the water to take these images.
Enjoy.
2 cameras were used. There will be two sequences to follow.
The breeze was out of the sou west to begin and despite the late withdrawal of RO Trevor Milton thanks to back problems ( get better Trevor ), the race was under way on time. Bernie Kaaks stepped up to the plate with less than a days notice to look after the 47th Gero Classic and had the help of the off shore team and the Fremantle Port Authorities emergency response vessel to start the event. Manfred Speicher of Pantaenius came in in a timely mode to help the event by sponsoring the Yellow Brick trackers that are so necessary to following the race and for that we must thank him.
Ten boats fronted the line with some pretty strong crews on board. At least half the boats had former Gero skippers on board and the faces on the yachts as they lined up were familiar. A big surprise was Anthony Kirke and his Farr 40 Enterprise. It was understood that he was taking a break from offshore sailing but somehow he's made it to the start line........ The rest of the line up has such luminaries as Indian, M3, Dirty Deeds, Finistere and ( the new ) Kraken. However the rest are just as likely to feature with good handicaps up their sleeves with well trained crews to work with. Welcome to Phantom, Wasabi, Argo and Prime Factor, all good offshore boats that have proved themselves already.
The start was comfortable with no chance of an OCS as the first boats hit the line some few seconds after the start. In fact M3 was busily repairing a tear on the leach of their main seconds before the start and they hit the line well after everyone else. Not that it mattered much. However the start was won by Anthony Kirke who rocked across the line on top of Indian and it was only the sheer speed of the Carkeek 47 that saved the day, as he managed to get a nose in front and get away. By the first mark, it was Indian to the top mark with Enterprise and M3 close behind.
Many thanks to SoPYC for getting me onto the water to take these images.
Enjoy.
2 cameras were used. There will be two sequences to follow.
The 46th Geraldton Classic 2014
Yes, I know 2 in one year. How lucky can I be!.
The Gero has been re-aligned to fit into the 100 year celebrations of the Geraldton Yacht Club and a great idea too.
The race traditionally starts off Fremantle and should be a cracker of a race this year. Tony's got Calm on the list and Walk on the Wild side has had her stick put in at last. Now there is some serious competition!
Ok, WoW didn't get up, but the field was interesting and RO Trevor Milton had the offshore race team ready and rolling as the westerly tracked it's way around to a seabreeze and settled in to a great starter for the 46th Gero Classic. The field started as one rather than two divisions and the sight of Calm actually driving away from the line seconds before the start had our driver wondering. Wonder no longer Tim, he wanted clean air at the bottom of the line and drove through the rest of the starters like a knife through hot butter.
Calm was around the first buoy and away before Black Betty and Dirty Deeds hit the corner, but there was no chance of separating those two for the rest of the race. The fun and games of the race will undoubtedly bond the lads who went out on Anthony Kirkes Enterprise. Anthony managed to snaffle the Redline Racing team to keep the other crew members on their toes.. I'm sure the guys will enjoy the hospitality at Geraldton.
enjoy
The Gero has been re-aligned to fit into the 100 year celebrations of the Geraldton Yacht Club and a great idea too.
The race traditionally starts off Fremantle and should be a cracker of a race this year. Tony's got Calm on the list and Walk on the Wild side has had her stick put in at last. Now there is some serious competition!
Ok, WoW didn't get up, but the field was interesting and RO Trevor Milton had the offshore race team ready and rolling as the westerly tracked it's way around to a seabreeze and settled in to a great starter for the 46th Gero Classic. The field started as one rather than two divisions and the sight of Calm actually driving away from the line seconds before the start had our driver wondering. Wonder no longer Tim, he wanted clean air at the bottom of the line and drove through the rest of the starters like a knife through hot butter.
Calm was around the first buoy and away before Black Betty and Dirty Deeds hit the corner, but there was no chance of separating those two for the rest of the race. The fun and games of the race will undoubtedly bond the lads who went out on Anthony Kirkes Enterprise. Anthony managed to snaffle the Redline Racing team to keep the other crew members on their toes.. I'm sure the guys will enjoy the hospitality at Geraldton.
enjoy
The 45th Geraldton Classic 2014
The F2G has a long and respected history and I was delighted to be invited to do it this year . SoPYC and Geraldton Yacht Club have worked together to present this race year after year and while I do not go to Gero, I had the task of photographing the start.
This year, the fleet was a selection of the finest of the offshore crews and boats and though only 13 started, it was a good look at some of Perth's best on offer.
Two double handers made it onto the line. Kraken, predictably, was there and Ian Stewart paired up with his son Doug.
The weather was tipped to go into the West around 1400 hrs. and RO Trevor Milton was heard on the radio requesting one of the mark boats to go out a mile and report back on the faint wisps of breeze that were filtering through around 1200 hrs. Sure enough the breeze filled in to a workable 5 to 8 knots out of the west and the probability of it going left during the day.
During the waiting period we had an over flight by a curious RAAF plane and the start team were busy handing out bags of jelly snakes to the contestants. Good slips catch to the guy on Endorfin, a couple of inches lower and it would have been over the rail.
Starting on time, division one and two got away to a clean start and split into two fleets, one along the shore and the other going right. The shore line was the call and by the time it came to turn right up to the top mark ,Alfresco and Sue Sea were leading with Alfresco advancing to the fore, just before the top mark. A tight rounding and away they went down on a tight spinnaker run to the bottom mark before heading out to Rotto. Good photos along this line. Particularly between Jaffa and ME II .
Many thanks to SoPYC for getting me onto the water and to Christina who drove for me.
This year, the fleet was a selection of the finest of the offshore crews and boats and though only 13 started, it was a good look at some of Perth's best on offer.
Two double handers made it onto the line. Kraken, predictably, was there and Ian Stewart paired up with his son Doug.
The weather was tipped to go into the West around 1400 hrs. and RO Trevor Milton was heard on the radio requesting one of the mark boats to go out a mile and report back on the faint wisps of breeze that were filtering through around 1200 hrs. Sure enough the breeze filled in to a workable 5 to 8 knots out of the west and the probability of it going left during the day.
During the waiting period we had an over flight by a curious RAAF plane and the start team were busy handing out bags of jelly snakes to the contestants. Good slips catch to the guy on Endorfin, a couple of inches lower and it would have been over the rail.
Starting on time, division one and two got away to a clean start and split into two fleets, one along the shore and the other going right. The shore line was the call and by the time it came to turn right up to the top mark ,Alfresco and Sue Sea were leading with Alfresco advancing to the fore, just before the top mark. A tight rounding and away they went down on a tight spinnaker run to the bottom mark before heading out to Rotto. Good photos along this line. Particularly between Jaffa and ME II .
Many thanks to SoPYC for getting me onto the water and to Christina who drove for me.